Ben Taylor returns to his roots on upcoming album

Tuesday

Apr 22, 2014 at 3:46 PMApr 22, 2014 at 4:43 PM

By Dana Forsythedforsythe@wickedlocal.com

While a good many of Ben Taylor’s songs could be dubbed with a “singer-songwriter” tag, the Martha’s Vineyard musician isn’t so sure he’d be excited to see such a show.“I might be bored seeing the ‘singer-songwriter thing,’” Taylor said half joking in an interview this week. “I like to dance, see people dance and make people dance. I do go to a lot of electronic and hip-hop shows.”While Taylor is excited about finding new ways to present his song craft, heritage is also a huge influence. The son of rock legends James Taylor and Carly Simon, there’s no denying his natural talents as a songwriter and singer. If you’ve heard any of his music or even seen Taylor in person, his parents can’t help but shine through from time to time.His mother can be seen in his wide jaw smile and melodies, his father through his tall frame and homespun voice. The 37-year-old Taylor has been making music since he was 12 but really got going in his 20s when he started penning songs and recording, albeit cautiously at first.With such a massive musical lineage, it’s no wonder he waited so long before finally making up his mind to make it a career. According to Taylor, he avoided even considering such a path “like the plague.”In 2003, he released his first proper offering with Famous Among the Barns. Since then, he’s self-released three more albums. His most recent, Listening, was released in 2012.Most recently, he’s been touring Europe and the West Coast. On Wednesday, April 23, he’ll make a stop in Somerville at Johnny D’s.“We’ve just been playing a lot of gigs and writing a lot of songs,” Taylor said. “I have enough songs for another album which will be coming out in August. I’ve also been reorganizing my music a little bit.”Taylor said aside to writing for his newest album, he’s also been tinkering with electronic sounds for an additional release.“I’m interested in a new platform for my show, switching formats as we go,” he said. “I just want to have a lot of fun, be spontaneous, you know.”Taylor said since the release of his last proper album, Listening, he’s been looking to return to his roots and his old way of doing things; in house.“I think working with a label on the last release was a mistake,” he said. “I was just sick of spending my own money but then I realized that what was even worse was depending on financial and artistic decisions coming from people who weren’t artists.”Taylor said he’s glad to be back on his own without a label and considers the decision a one-album test.As far as the new untitled album goes, he called it the “Ben Taylor album I should of made to begin with.”“It’s honest and cohesive,” he said. “The same band in the same room. It’s a class songwriter album but it reflects my taste in music.”“It’s very much in keeping with the family business, representing the Lollipop Guild,” he laughed.So has he considered any titles for his new work?“I really wanted to call it ‘Clouds and Dirt’ but I’ve been getting a bit of pushback on that name,” he said.As for his return to Boston, Taylor said he’s excited to return when the blossoms do.“It’s honestly my favorite time of year when the blossoms are out and they’re littered all over the lawn,” he said. “May on Martha’s Vineyard is my heaven. I’m just very excited to be back home in play some local shows in New York and Boston.”